Knob and Tube Wiring in Delaware Homes: Is It Safe and Should You Replace It?

Delaware has some of the oldest housing stock on the East Coast — colonial New Castle, Victorian Milton and Laurel, and thousands of 1920s Wilmington rowhomes. Many still contain knob and tube (K&T) wiring. Here is what our rewiring team wants you to know.

What knob and tube wiring is

Single wires run through ceramic knobs and tubes, installed from the 1880s to the 1940s. It has no ground wire and relies on air space to dissipate heat.

Why it is a problem today

• No grounding — modern electronics and surge protectors cannot work properly.
• Insulation becomes brittle and cracks.
• Blown-in insulation traps heat around the wires.
• Decades of amateur splices.
• Many insurers will not write or renew a policy.

Aluminum wiring (1960s–70s homes)

Homes built in the late 60s and 70s may have aluminum branch wiring, which loosens at connections and overheats. Options include full aluminum wiring replacement or approved COPALUM / AlumiConn repairs.

What rewiring involves

We map every circuit, fish new copper wiring through existing walls, install a modern panel, add grounded outlets and GFCI/AFCI protection, and keep drywall openings small.